How did the idea for Ownever come about?

 I had been toying with the idea of creating something like this long before Ownever was born. I knew that I wanted to create a high-quality and sustainable product that emphasised both a timeless design and the Portuguese savoir-faire. Accessories, and bags in particular, are perfect as timeless design icons, and if created with exceptional quality, can have a real impact on someone’s image and legacy. The idea of designing pieces that would last a lifetime and that could be passed down from generation to generation with timelessness was what set me out on this path.

How would you define the brand and how does it stand out in the market?

Ownever represents a unique fusion between luxury, sustainability and the valorisation of Portuguese know-how. From the day the idea for Ownever began to take shape, I wanted the brand to be a benchmark not only for quality but also for sustainability, and also to have an emotional significance. 

I don’t want Ownever pieces to be thrown away as is currently the case with fast fashion, so I think the refurbishment service we offer, not only for our bags but for other brands as well, is what really sets us apart. This is where we make a real difference in terms of sustainability because we are able to restore pieces that were sitting in a corner of the wardrobe and would probably end up being thrown away.

What have been the biggest challenge to date?

Launching a new brand is always a huge challenge, and I knew that when I decided to go down this road, having experienced it in some way before. But I feel that dealing with the supply chain is a big challenge. The whole supply chain in Portugal is built to handle large volumes, so there are very few opportunities for new brands. This is quite complicated when we’re not yet big enough to have a bargaining position, or even an entry position, with some suppliers. We often find ourselves in a very awkward position between our customers and our suppliers and this balance is what I feel has been the biggest challenge.

However, I also believe that challenges are a great stimulus to creativity and that the bottom line is positive. This is because the difficulty also allows us to reach wonderful people, full of talent, with a real desire to help a small business grow and embrace the opportunity to grow with it.  

What advice would you give to a young person just starting out?

I believe that resilience and the ability to adapt to situations are very important when you’re starting out. Not everything will go according to plan, and there is great power in turning adversity into opportunities for growth. I feel that a lot of times we don’t follow the path that we idealised, but if we know how to take advantage of opportunities, the outcome will be much better than we ever imagined.